Understanding the Brain

Question 1

What is Neuroscience?

Answer 1

The scientific study of the nervous system (our nervous system controls behaviour)

Question 2

What is the Nervous system? (3)

Answer 2

Network of neurons in the brain, spinal cord and periphery

CNS – Brain and Spinal cord

PNS – Nerves (cranial and spinal), Ganglia (Mass of nerve cell bodies)

Question 3

What is a modern example of Natural Selection (3)

Answer 3

The Peppered Moth

Typica (light)
Rural camouflage (bark)
Decreased pollution = increase

Carbonaria (dark)
Industrial camouflage (soot)
Increased pollution = increase

Question 4

What is Evolution? (2)

Answer 4

Gradual change in structures of physiology of a species + generally producing more complex organisms (Due to natural selection)

Question 5

Ways the Human brain has evolved (3)

Answer 5

Brain size increased
Proportion of the different areas changed
Folding of cerebral cortex increased

Question 6

Properties of the spinal cord? (3)

Answer 6

Continuous with brain stem
Long conical structure
Thickness of adult’s little finger

Question 7

3 major functions of the spinal cord? (3)

Answer 7

Coordinating certain reflexes
Conduit for sensory and motor information
Mediates information transmission between brain & body below the neck

Question 8

Autonomic NS three sub-divisions? (3)

Answer 8

Sympathetic Nervous System
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Enteric Nervous System

Question 9

Role of the Sympathetic NS (SNS)?

Answer 9

Any responses for activities which expend energy
Coordinates Fight or Flight response

Question 10

Role of the Enteric NS (ENS)?

Answer 10

The “second brain”
Lines your gastrointestinal tract from oesophagus to rectum
Main role is controlling digestion

Question 11

Function of neurons?

Answer 11

Transmit information to other neurons, muscle of gland cells
80% of neurons are in the brain

Question 12

What are the 3 types of neurons?

Answer 12

Sensory neurons - Part of PNS
Motor neurons - Part of PNS
Interneurons - In CNS

Question 13

Function of the Sensory neurons?

Answer 13

Contain sensory receptors for detecting sensory changes
Sends information about these changes to CNS
Cell body in PNS, axon enters CNS (axon terminals located in CNS)

Question 14

Function of Motor neurons?

Answer 14

Synapses to skeletal muscle to command movement or onto glands to release hormones
Relays signal from CNS to PNS
Dendrites & cell body in CNS, axon enters PNS

Question 15

Function of Interneurons?

Answer 15

Receives info from sensory neurons
Sends info to motor neurons
Integrate: inputs from multiple afferent neurons – average signal
Change: Interneurons can provide excitatory or inhibitory signals